The jury in Jason Dominick’s homicide trial advised Lackawanna County Judge Terrence Nealon on Friday it may have reached an impasse, which could lead to a hung jury and mistrial.

The jury, which consists of an alternate who took the place of one of the original jurors, deliberated for 10 hours Friday. That’s in addition to 7½ hours of deliberations on Thursday.

Judge Nealon allowed jurors to discontinue deliberations at about 6:15 p.m. Friday and directed them to return to the courthouse today at 9 a.m. He will read them instructions about how to handle the impasse to determine if they can reach a verdict on some, all or none of the charges. If they determine they cannot, the judge will have no choice but to declare a mistrial.

Mr. Dominick, 23, of Scranton, is charged with first- and third-degree murder and conspiracy to commit those crimes. Prosecutors said he shot Frank Bonacci of Dunmore in the back of the head as the men rode in the victim’s Jeep with Neil Pal on July 20. The men then forced the vehicle into a ravine, where it was found seven days later. Mr. Dominick admits he took part in the cover up, but claims Mr. Pal was the shooter.

Mr. Dominick is charged as the principal, which means prosecutors believe he was the shooter, and an accomplice. Mr. Pal, 23, of Scranton, is charged only as an accomplice and is scheduled to stand trial in June.

In order to reach a verdict, the jury must come to a unanimous decision to convict or acquit a defendant. The judge’s instructions today will direct jurors what to consider to determine if they can come to an agreement or if they have truly reached an impasse. If a mistrial is declared on all or some of the counts, prosecutors would have to decide whether to seek a retrial.

The original jury consisted of seven women and five men. About noon Friday, Judge Nealon dismissed one of the original jurors, a man, because he had to attend a memorial service for his father. The man advised the court at the start of the trial he could not continue his service if the case went past noon on Friday. Attorneys and the judge expected the case to wrap up by Wednesday or Thursday, so they allowed him to remain on the panel. Judge Nealon stressed the man’s dismissal had nothing to do with his views on the case.

The new juror, a woman, joined the original panel around 12:30 p.m. Judge Nealon told jurors they were required to disregard any influence the excused juror had on deliberations and were to restart discussions as if they had just received the case.

In the 10th day of trial, the emotional toll of the extended deliberations was apparent. About 25 family members and friends of Mr. Bonacci and Mr. Dominick paced nervously, gathering in the courtroom to await updates. Some held rosary beads as they waited in the courtroom. The Bonacci family talked quietly in the hallway, looking up every time the courtroom door opened.

The jury asked several questions throughout the day Friday, including requests to review evidence and whether Mr. Dominick could still be found guilty of the conspiracy charge if they acquitted him of first- or third-degree murder. Judge Nealon conferred with prosecutors and the defense and advised jurors they could not convict on the conspiracy charge alone.

The jurors also requested a clarification of the accomplice charge, asking if, by participating in the cover-up, Mr. Dominick could be found guilty as an accomplice. Judge Nealon reread jury instructions regarding that matter.

After each question, the family members filed into the courtroom to hear the latest developments. Each round of questions invited speculation about what jurors could be thinking.

Many of the questions jurors asked Thursday focused on crime scene photos and reports prepared by expert witnesses who analyzed evidence. The experts gave differing opinions regarding whether the fatal shot was fired from the backseat, where Mr. Dominick was seated, or driver’s seat, which was occupied by Mr. Pal. The question is pivotal to the case because the defense claims Mr. Pal was the shooter.

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